Monday, January 20, 2014

FIRST C of E WOMEN BISHOPS BY CHRISTMAS

The
first woman bishop in the Church of England could be appointed before
the end of this year, the Church’s most senior official has disclosed.

William Fittall, the Secretary General of the General Synod, said that
under a new plan to speed the long-awaited legislation through, it is
now possible that the first female members of the episcopate could be chosen by Christmas.

If the fast-track scheme is approved by the Church’s General Synod next
month, a change to canon law allowing women to become bishops and
archbishops could receive final approval in July and come into force by
November. He said that with a growing list of vacant sees, it is likely that “things could move quickly” once that happens.

Although male clerics would still be considered for the posts, there is
a “huge expectation” that some of those on a long list of “very
eminently qualified people” previously excluded on grounds of gender
would be appointed.